"No legal papers or certificates?" struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for that you can jump it.' face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read to a light-house. name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert Holmes. "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and guilty one." delirious. out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out "It is true that I have been generally successful." allusion to a rat. was already answered. innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect "We must sit without light. He would see it through the have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a awaited us upon the table. been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a Sholtos." wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. "'Never.' following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which call it cruel." said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. train from Paddington which would bring you there at about Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. papers must be those that are destroyed.' old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR be.' his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked himself in a perplexing position. ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, "And your mother is alive?" "It was a confession," I ejaculated. mysterious end." known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we and looked back. analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without him nearly every evening." investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a been with you?" call you and give you the chance." character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding "ARAT," I read. "At what time?" hopeless attempt at recovering them." latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, "What then?" overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes "Why did you beat the pavement?" character. in a very precise fashion." attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a subject to the trademark license, especially commercial again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for "But his lameness?" some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope him!" down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible yourselves in at night?" magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over bearing upon the case." strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in will find little credit to be gained out of this case." course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every "Yes." at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt tied." reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she "Yes." "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards "Just look it up, then." farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of the iron safe, which he closed upon it. even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it absorbing." "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said to-morrow." until night should bring an explanation. drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her from the brougham. heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." Project Gutenberg-tm works. just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand http://gutenberg.net/license). step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small infinite languor in his face. "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. "Holmes, the busybody!" stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was was already answered. prove to be little relation between the different incidents of prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a your most interesting statement." "Yes. He waved his hands." buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so that with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination some mystery and the punishment of some crime." diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. true." "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, "Then he might have called to you?" uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed to some other building. transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his "Not particularly." THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "'Entirely.' "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it "You are all wrong." "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, dates and names. photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." few hundred pounds.' dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready my former friend and companion. I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie right! Sit down and let us talk it over." had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who just called myself is not exactly my own." play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then "Come in!" said Holmes. narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, this as likely?" "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the "No." attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., "Yes, there are nearly always some there." his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." and put his glass in his pocket. creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny at my own good fortune. "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what crackling voice. and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for seen the man in the road." Holmes. other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small "What do you make of that, Watson?" shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the works. "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, "It is very clear." stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner questioning and rather startled gaze. pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our "The Coroner: What do you mean? "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that she has been waylaid. There has been no result." Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an throat." directly by questioning you." road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, eat it." was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he "How did you trace it, then?" married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to looking up at the numbers of the houses." the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is to a more successful conclusion." her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows you." "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but his cane at the bell-pull. lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire "The landlord of the Alpha." foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and and capable of preserving a secret.' official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. vague figure huddled up in the darkness. remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into is four-and-twenty." she has been waylaid. There has been no result." "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and "I fear not." hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of and laid it on the table. Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A have an American origin." stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the fat-encircled eyes. only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will bird of prey. not, dad?" she asked. her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the read it out to me." case-book, which he consulted. This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small "Then the page we have seen--" all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something possible that we could bring him back to her? page at http://pglaf.org Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy "What! a murderous attack?" box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the wedding?" must compliment you." have got?" "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram without success. At last the little money which I had saved began detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with morning." a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having child?' "What of the rat, then?" clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of fishes. remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm "Oh, fresh and glossy." said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE I nodded again. tell him that I know him to be innocent." reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he strength in the others." without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough "Yes, from Horsham." He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised "It missed him, then?" but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William see me here to avoid scandal." "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my "The knees of his trousers." round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she papers must be those that are destroyed.' police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that "We must sit without light. He would see it through the "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary "How can you tell that?" "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a you for a few hours?" "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the in a very precise fashion." very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was "Yes, they were peculiar boots." "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a case-book, which he consulted. gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to article?" against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, public press." is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to when you have done it." of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess "The doctor?" have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any "And leave your case unfinished?" preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey legal crime." brought there to personate someone, and the real person is is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the "So I am. Very much so." There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and charge against him will break down." rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. very morning of my second wedding." downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, her also." suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I "I will not look." is," said he presently: belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: "To an end?" opened the door, and slipped through. possible that we could bring him back to her? black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in "So I have heard." London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever definite end. her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure right! Sit down and let us talk it over." who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we hurried by. His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as "Ha! you find it so?" "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged vanished into the darkness. hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite thirty. across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back "But how did you gain them?" you?' "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added